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Sheep were first domesticated c. 7,000 years ago, and the first use of their fleeces for wool is dated c. 4000 BC. (Wild Sheep, found in mountainous parts of Asia, North America, and the Mediterranean region, are agile rock climbers with large, spiraling horns. They do not bear wool.) The present-day breeds of domesticated Sheep vary greatly because they were developed for different purposes and environments. Sheep are bred for their wool, meat (mutton or lamb, according to age), skins, and, in certain parts of Europe and the Middle East, their milk, from which cheese is made. Among the important breeds are the Columbia, Cotswold, Dorset, Hampshire, Karakul, Leicester, Lincoln, Merino, Oxford, Rambouillet, Shropshire, Southdown, and Suffolk Sheep.

Sheep are found mostly in temperate climates and thrive on roughage. They tend to be kept in herds. Their wool is one of the most common sources of textiles in human culture.

IgE-mediated reactions
Exposure to epidermal allergens may result in asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis (1).

Other topics

Allergy reactions to Sheep wool have been described, but conflicting results are apparent.A study reported that in early stages of wool processing the overall frequency of respiratory work-related symptoms was low and mainly nasal and/or ocular. The symptoms were not related to the stage of processing. Serum-specific IgE against wool extracts was not detectable (2).

In 64 wool textile workers, skin testing was performed with different wool allergens (domestic and Australian). The prevalence of positive skin-specific IgE to all allergens was higher in wool than in control workers, although the difference was statistically significant only for washed domestic wool (wool workers: 42.2%; control workers: 19.6%). Increased serum IgE levels were more frequent in wool (26.6%) than in control workers (3.1%). In wool textile workers there was a high prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms. Many of the wool workers had an FEF25 lower than 70% of that predicted. The authors report that, in general, the prevalence of symptoms and the lung function abnormalities did not correlate with the results of specific (wool) skin tests, but that their data suggested that exposure to wool dust in some workers may be associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and impairment of lung function, and that immunological abnormalities, although frequent in this group, did not appear to be associated with the severity of these changes (3).

Occupational dermatitis in Ewe milkers has been reported. This may be as a result of contact with milk rather than Sheep epithelium (4, 5)(5-6). IgE-mediated hypersensitivity resulting in respiratory crisis in a young man every time he milked his Sheep has been reported (6)

Sheepskins may be a source of House Dust Mite and Cat allergens, as they rapidly accumulate allergens from the domestic environment. Sheepskins as infant bedding should be discouraged for infants at risk of sensitisation to House Dust Mites and Cats (7, 8)

No allergens from this animal have yet been characterised      

Last reviewed- April 2022